Cheltenham Festival Day 3 Preview
1.30pm Marsh Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)
Distance:2m 3f 166y
Prize Money: 150,000
Donald McCain Verdict:
I have to go with the old-boy Faugheen for no other reason than I want to see him win.
Betsafe Verdict:
Itchy Feet, Faugheen, Samcro and Melon are some big names among the entries in the curtain-raiser race of day 3 of the 2020 Cheltenham Festival.
The Olly Murphy trained Itchy Feet may be the runner to give the young English trainer his first win at the Festival. The 6-year-old gelding won on his last 2 outings and soft ground conditions seem to suit.
No more popular winner would be old-time favourite Faugheen. The 12-year-old is in stellar form since returning to the track this season with a form of 111 since last November. This will be the second time this season the Willie Mullins-trained gelding goes up against Gordon Elliott’s Samcro.
However, Samcro might prefer better ground conditions to the current ground in Cheltenham.
Willie Mullins second entry Melon will certainly be one to watch each-way given his great record at the Festival and is good value bet at the prices.
Selection: Melon – E/W
2.10pm Pertemps Network Final (Handicap Hurdle) (Grade 3)
Distance: 2m 7f 213y
Prize Money: £100,000
Donald McCain Verdict:
I like Sire Du Berlais in here, he won the race last year and had a nice run around to qualify for the race, so he speaks for himself really.
Betsafe Verdict:
Gordon Elliott is represented by Sire Du Berlais who was last year’s winner, of this race but is now 7lb higher he still holds the ante-post favourite position. He still could be ahead of the handicapper and this has undoubtedly been the plan for some time.
The Storyteller is another runner that represents Gordon Elliott’s yard. He’s a Grade 1 winning chaser and is a previous festival winner which must bring him into the reckoning.
Nicky Henderson has already had a great festival and looks to have another lice chance of a winner with Welsh Saint who’s been constantly improving all season and is coming off the back of winning the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle at Haydock last month. He’s up four-pounds for that win but should go well.
Selection: The Storyteller
2.50pm Ryanair Chase (Grade 1)
Distance: 2m 4f 127y
Prize Money: £350,000
Donald McCain Verdict:
I find it hard to see anything beating A Plus Tard, who’s looked very good this season and when you look for something to beat him, it’s just not there.
Betsafe Verdict:
A Plus Tard is a very worthy favourite and confirmed himself as a top-class horse at Leopardstown last Christmas. He’ll be steered by Rachael Blackmore who won the Mares’ Hurdle on the opening day of the festival for trainer Henry de Bromhead. As a past Festival winner, he will be the one to beat.
The Willie Mullins trained Min has an impressive record at 2 miles and 4 furlongs and has been consistent this season. He finished a strong second at the Dublin Racing Festival and comes to this year’s Cheltenham Festival in good form.
Riders On the Storm is trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies and has vastly improved to dutifully earn his place at the Festival. A big strong horse who is a good jumper, it is important to note he did have a hard race the last day out, but this Scorpion horse will have connections hopeful he can bounce back from his win at Ascot to return to the winner’s circle once again. Soft ground conditions should suit.
Can the mighty team that is Frodon and Bryony Frost make the running for the second year in a row? The 8-year-old raised the roof when he stormed home to win this race last year. The Paul Nicholls trained gelding is fancied to repeat his success after returning to form at Kempton in January.
Selection: A Plus Tard
3.30pm Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
Distance: 2m 7f 213y
Prize Money: £325,000
Donald McCain Verdict:
It’s very unoriginal but it has to be the reigning champ Paisley Park. He’s looked as good as ever this season and nothing in the field can get close to him in my opinion.
Betsafe Verdict:
Paisley Park is the right favourite. The star stayer has extended his winning form this term and comes from the back of a win at Cheltenham Racecourse in January. The Emma Lavelle trained gelding will certainly be the one to beat.
Summerville Boy won the Supreme Novice at the 2018 Festival and the Tom George trained gelding ran a huge race in defeat to Paisley Park at Cheltenham in January when he was upped to 3 miles in the Cleeve and should be the best of the rest of the field.
The Willie Mullins trained Penhill, is a dual Festival winner and previous winner of this race in 2018. The 9-year-old could be one to watch at an each-way price as he probably will struggle to beat Paisley Park.
Apple’s Jade, although a classy mare the question remains does Cheltenham suit her? The 8-year-old is probably one to consider at an each-way price.
Selection: Paisley Park
4.10pm Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate (Handicap Chase) (Grade 3)
Distance: 2m 4f 166y
Prize Money: £110,000
Donald McCain Verdict:
I know that Blazer doesn’t win that often but he’s a classy sort on his day and has ran well at the festival before, so looks like a nice each-way bet.
Betsafe Verdict:
Simply The Betts runs for trainer Harry Whittington and the soft ground is sure to suit. He won a useful novice handicap at Cheltenham in January on soft ground and that form looks even stronger now with Imperial Aura winning on Tuesday.
Spiritofthegames looks to be a solid place contender. The Dan Skelton gelding will return to the Cheltenham track after he had a solid run to finish second at Cheltenham in January.
Studying the outsiders of the race, Death Duty’s name is one that stands out. The Gordon Elliott trained gelding has plenty of winning experience however can he return to his original best form remains the question.?
Selection: Death Duty E/W
4.50pm Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)
Distance: 2m 179y
Prize Money: £90,000
Donald McCain Verdict:
This looks like a weak enough race and I think the Irish horses look stronger than the English on what they have shown. Minella Melody looks the best of what’s come over and should win this.
Betsafe Verdict:
The all-conquering Henry de Bromhead runs Minella Melody who’s in excellent form coming into this race. The 6-year-old mare comes off the back of a great performance at Fairyhouse in January where she stormed home to beat Colreevy.
The Nicky Henderson trained Floressa has shown solid form to date and is certainly a contender given that she wasn’t beaten far behind the smart Lady Buttons when last seen.
Concertista was a short-head second in this race last year. The 6-year-old mare made a good effort on her latest start at Leopardstown last month but needs to find further improvement to feature.
Selection: Minella Melody
5.30pm Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase
Distance 3m 2f
Prize Money £70,000
Donald McCain Verdict:
Champagne Platinum ran very well behind Itchy Feet in the Scilly Isles and with Derek booked along with the addition of cheek pieces, he looks the one.
Betsafe Verdict:
Milan Native is trained by Gordon Elliott and has finished second on his last two outings. He certainly has the potential to make all the running but you’d prefer to see Jamie Codd in the saddle to give you extra confidence.
The Ben Pauling trained Le Breuil won the NH Chase at last year’s Festival under Jamie Codd and returns to the 2020 Cheltenham Festival with Codd again. He goes into the race as a leading fancy and I can see why.
Fitzhenry who is trained by the resurgent Wexford based Paul Nolan and he’s been in admirable form in Irish handicaps this season and deserves a big prize. It’s also very eye-catching that Patrick Mullins takes the ride.
Selection: Fitzhenry
